Showing posts with label Boeing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boeing. Show all posts

15 March, 2024

Boeing warns airlines to check 787 flight deck seat switches following LATAM mishap.

Photo Boeing
The U.S. planemaker Boeing has warned all customer airlines flying its 787 Dreamliners to check flight deck crew seat switches following the sudden mid-air fall by a LATAM Airlines 787 jet that resulted in over 50 people injured.

Boeing and regulators are investigating the incident on LATAM flight 800 flying between Sydney and Auckland where it appears that a flight attendant accidentally hit a switch on the pilot’s seat while serving their meal. The switch powers the pilot's seat movement and on this occasion pushed him into the controls of the jet leading to a devastating plunge which caused more than 50 people to be injured. 

This incident has forced Boeing to warn airlines they should check the crew seats in the cockpits of 787 aircraft for loose covers on switches. The seats are supposed to have a spring-loaded seat back switch guard which may jam or become loose and activate the rocker switch, resulting in seat movement.

Boeing said today that it was taking the precautionary measure of alerting customer airlines of the issue and reminding them of a 2017 service bulletin which has details of how to inspect and maintain the flight deck seat switches. "We are recommending operators perform an inspection at the next maintenance opportunity," Boeing said.
787-10 on its first test flight






Air New Zealand to pause Chicago service from late March due to engine issues with its Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes.

Engine shortage offered as excuse for pausing Chicago route.
Air New Zealand has confirmed it will put a pause on its Auckland – Chicago non-stop service between 31st March to 25th October 2024.

The Kiwi airline advises the route is being put on hold because of the ongoing challenges with the availability of serviceable Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines it uses on its Boeing 787 aircraft.

Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines normally require heavy maintenance, during which they are taken off the aircraft and sent to the manufacturer for inspection, after 1000 engine cycles (take-offs and landings). During regular inspections, Air New Zealand engineers identified that the engines required maintenance after 750-850 cycles. Rolls-Royce has been unable to provide Air New Zealand with spare or replacement engines to deliver the level of service needed, leading to a reduction in the amount of flying Air New Zealand can deliver via its 787 fleet. 

The airline's Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Leanne Geraghty claims it was a difficult decision to make, but chose the route that would impact the least number of customers.  “We know this will be disappointing for customers travelling to and from Chicago during this period, especially to those travelling over the upcoming April holiday break. It’s not a decision we’ve made lightly and we’re sorry to make this change so close to the time some customers plan to fly.

Unfortunately, Air New Zealand continues to be impacted by challenges with availability of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, meaning we will now have up to three aircraft unavailable for an extended period, so we’ve had to review our schedule."

The airline says that passengers affected by the Chicago service pause will be rebooked on another international service and a connection through another US airport. Passengers who booked directly with Air New Zealand will get a new itinerary within 72 hours and those who booked via a travel agent or tour operator should contact their holiday company or agent to confirm the changes.
Geraghty said "We need to ensure our aircraft and engines are maintained to the highest standard. These challenges do not present a safety risk to customers flying on our 787 fleet."

The airline didn't rule out the possibility that further schedule changes may be required later in the year when more aircraft and engines come in for heavy maintenance.  The company currently has 14 Boeing 787 jets with a further 8 on order. 

More jobs at Rolls-Royce


Rolls-Royce has said it plans to create hundreds of new jobs in Derby following a £55m cash injection which will be split between the firm's operations in Derby and Dahlewitz, Germany.

14 March, 2024

UK orders 14 more Chinook helicopters....

Capability boost for UK's global military operations as contract confirmed for new Chinooks

The new helicopters will have double the range of the existing Chinooks in service among the UK Armed Forces



Britain’s heavy lift capability will be bolstered with the purchase of 14 extended-range Chinooks (CH47-ER), which will pump an estimated £151 million into the UK economy.

14 state-of-the art Chinook helicopters to provide versatile heavy-lift capability over double the range of a standard Chinook.
Programme now confirmed to bring in an estimated £151 million of extra investment to UK economy.
UK companies will produce components critical for manufacturing and maintaining the helicopters.


Grant Shapps meets the crew of a Chinook already in service.
The new Chinooks significantly enhance the UK’s strategic mobility with its ability to operate in challenging environments. From the desert to the arctic, the helicopter has double the range of a standard Chinook and is capable of air-to-air refuelling, with the ability to carry up to 55 personnel or 10,000 kg of cargo.

With a top speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the new helicopters will have a range of new capabilities, including an advanced digital cockpit and a modernised airframe to increase stability and survivability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced the commitment to proceed with the contract after meeting crew members from one of the Chinooks in the Royal Air Force’s existing fleet.

Through successful negotiations between MOD’s procurement arm - Defence Equipment & Support - and the US Government, the UK has reduced costs for elements of the programme by more than £300 million, ensuring value for money whilst providing our armed forces with a cutting-edge heavy lift capability.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Procuring these Chinook helicopters will mark a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise and enhance the agility of the UK Armed Forces, cementing our ability to respond at pace to situations and threats across the globe.

The Chinook is one of our most iconic aircraft, having been operated in every major conflict since the Falklands War. Delivering on this deal not only enhances our capability, but will boost UK industry and skills."

The Defence Secretary also visited Poland yesterday and met his counterpart to discuss international support for Ukraine, and made a further visit to meet British troops currently exercising in Poland. 

Boeing's records of who worked on the doorplug that blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX jet deleted

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy has written a letter to a Senate committee that is investigating the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX doorplug blow out on 5th January, informing them of Boeing's lack of records.

Homendy stated that the NTSB doesn’t know who worked on the panel that blew off a 737 MAX 9 because Boeing’s CEO told her that he couldn’t provide the information because the company has no records about the job.  “The absence of those records will complicate the NTSB’s investigation moving forward,”

Homendy told senators last week that the NTSB asked Boeing for security camera footage that might help identify who worked on the panel in September, but was told the video was overwritten after 30 days — months before the blowout. Boeing delayed weeks before providing the names of 25 employees that work on doors at the manufacturer's Seattle facility, only handing over the information after Homendy had started giving her statement.  

Former Boeing whistleblower found dead


Police are still investigating the death of a former Boeing employee and whistleblower, John Barnett. Initial reports indicated that Barnett had died from what appeared to be "self-inflicted" gunshot wounds on 9th March.  

Airlines try to leverage Boeing woes despite lack of alternatives

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 10.
Airline executives are frustrated with Boeing as its safety crisis has upended their business plans. But in a tight market for large aircraft supplied by two companies, they have little choice but do business with the U.S. planemaker, reports Rajesh Kumar Singh from Reuters.

Despite some public displays of alarm - United Airlines  CEO Scott Kirby flew to France to talk with Airbus as Boeing's latest crisis erupted - carriers are still negotiating new plane orders, looking to leverage Boeing's delays to secure better terms.

Boeing's delivery schedule faces extended delays following a Jan. 5 mid-flight cabin blowout that exposed problems with safety and quality control in its manufacturing processes. But rival Airbus already has a backlog of orders that makes shifting over a non-starter.

Instead, airlines are adopting a variety of strategies to try to stay in the game with Boeing, using orders of one type of plane as a placeholder to possibly take deliveries of a different model. They also are negotiating harder, looking to use production delays to get discounts from the planemaker on new orders and compensation for financial losses.

"Boeing customers don't have much option but to stick with Boeing whether they like it or not," said Scott Hamilton, managing director at aviation consulting firm Leeham Company.
Kirby has been among the most vocal in expressing frustrations with Boeing. He met with Airbus after regulators grounded all of United's Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet and put a big question mark over certification of the larger variant MAX 10, which was due for deliveries this year and was to be the cornerstone of United's fleet.

12 March, 2024

United turning its back on Boeing's 737 MAX 10 jets.

737 MAX 9
United Airlines has told Boeing to stop making the 737 MAX 10s the U.S. mega-carrier ordered from the manufacturer, as it moves away from those aircraft and heads for the MAX 9 variant.

Bloomberg has reported that United's CEO Scott Kirby made the revelation at the JPMorgan conference.  "We’ve asked Boeing to stop building Max 10s, which they’ve done, for us and start building Max 9s. - It’s impossible to say when the Max 10 is going to get certified."

Kirby continued:  "We are in the market for A321s, and if we get a deal where the economics work, we’ll do something," however, there was no guarantee a deal could be struck with Airbus.  "If we don’t, we won’t and will wind up with more Max 9s." 




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07 March, 2024

NTSB investigating 'stuck' rudder pedals on United Airlines 737 MAX jet

NTSB investigating 'stuck' rudder pedals on United Airlines 737 MAX jet
Investigators at the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board  -  NTSB are looking into another incident involving the troubled 737 MAX aircraft, following an incident when the rudder pedals stopped working on a United Airlines plane last month.

The aircraft was performing flight UA1539, from Nassau, Bahamas, to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on 6th February 2024 when the incident occurred.  According to the preliminary report,  before the aircraft had reduced to taxing speed,  the rudder pedals for both the captain and the first officer stopped working. "The captain used the nose wheel steering tiller to keep the airplane near the runway centerline while slowing to a safe taxi speed before exiting the runway onto a high-speed turn-off," the report documented.  


The flight data recorder showed that the rudder surface position remained near its neutral position as the plane landed and during its rollout, despite the crew putting force on the rudder pedals, which was increasing.  The report said "Significant pedal force input was observed along with corresponding rudder surface movement. Afterward, the rudder pedals and rudder surface began moving as commanded and continued to function normally for the remainder of the taxi."  

737 MAX plane maker Boeing issued a statement this week,  "We worked closely with United Airlines to diagnose the rudder response issue observed during two 737-MAX 8 flights in early February. With coordination with United, the issue was successfully resolved with the replacement of three parts and the airplane returned to service last month."






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06 March, 2024

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines agree deal for 8 Boeing 777-9 jets.

Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to purchase eight Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft with options for 12 additional jets.



Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines confirmed the agreement on Tuesday,  Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said:  "We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our services and customer satisfaction. Improving our operational performance and commitment to environmental sustainability, the 777-9 offers more flexibility, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions," 

He added: "We are grateful to Boeing for their long-standing partnership and support, and we eagerly anticipate flying the 777-9 across the African skies and beyond."

Based on the 777 and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 features new carbon-fibre composite wings and engines that will enable the aeroplane to achieve 10% better fuel efficiency and operating costs than the competition. The 777-9 will support Ethiopian Airlines' plans to grow and renew its fleet in size, range and passenger and cargo capacity to reach high-demand markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

05 March, 2024

Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to purchase eight Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft

Ethiopian Airlines has agreed to purchase eight Boeing 777-9 passenger aircraft with options for 12 additional jets.



Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines confirmed the agreement on Tuesday,  Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO said:  "We are pleased to continue setting the trend in African aviation by adopting cutting-edge technologies to enhance our services and customer satisfaction. Improving our operational performance and commitment to environmental sustainability, the 777-9 offers more flexibility, reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions," 

He added: "We are grateful to Boeing for their long-standing partnership and support, and we eagerly anticipate flying the 777-9 across the African skies and beyond."

Based on the 777 and with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner family, the 777-9 features new carbon-fibre composite wings and engines that will enable the aeroplane to achieve 10% better fuel efficiency and operating costs than the competition. The 777-9 will support Ethiopian Airlines' plans to grow and renew its fleet in size, range and passenger and cargo capacity to reach high-demand markets in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

"Ethiopian Airlines marks yet another first in our longstanding partnership by selecting the 777-9 to be the flagship of its growing fleet," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.



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04 March, 2024

American Airlines has placed an order for 85 Boeing 737 MAX jets.

American Airlines orders Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets
Boeing is celebrating a new order from American Airlines for its troubled 737 MAX jets, just at a time when the manufacturer needs some good news. 


It was confirmed today, that the U.S. mega-carrier is amending a previous order for 737 MAX 8 planes to the bigger version of the type the MAX 10. Plus it is further ordering 85 aircraft, with an option for another 75 MAX 10 jets.  

"Over the past decade, we have invested heavily to modernize and simplify our fleet, which is the largest and youngest among U.S. network carriers," said American's CEO Robert Isom. "These orders will continue to fuel our fleet with newer, more efficient aircraft so we can continue to deliver the best network and record-setting operational reliability for our customers."

The Boeing 737 MAX 10 can carry up to 230 passengers and is said to offer a range of up to 3,100 nautical miles with a full load. 

The whole MAX programme has been beset with problems since its inception and maiden flight back on 29th January 2016. Two fatal crashes of this type - Lion Air Flight 610 in late 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in early 2019, took the lives of 346 leading to a worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX jets.  More recently, loose and missing bolts on door plugs have been found after urgent inspections were carried out after an Alaska Airlines' jet suffered a major blowout mid-flight. The programme has also suffered from issues relating to fuel tank debris, wing spur cracks, misaligned holes, fuselage quality issues and supply chain delays are all taking their toll. 

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday that an audit into Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems regarding the 737 MAX programme found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. There were "non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control."

Last week, the FAA ordered Boeing to develop and present a comprehensive plan to address "systemic quality-control issues within 90 days.  







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01 March, 2024

FAA issues updates on grounding of Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft and gives Boeing 90 days to provide new comprehensive safety action plan

During an all-day safety discussion at FAA Headquarters on Tuesday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker informed top Boeing officials that the aircraft manufacturer must develop a comprehensive action plan to address its systemic quality-control issues to meet FAA’s non-negotiable safety standards.  

“Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” Administrator Whitaker said following the meeting with Boeing Chief Executive Officer and President Dave Calhoun and his senior safety team. “Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.”   

Administrator Whitaker told Boeing that he expects the company to provide the FAA a comprehensive action plan within 90 days that will incorporate the forthcoming results of the FAA production-line audit and the latest findings from the expert review panel report, which was required by the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act of 2020.   

The plan must also include steps Boeing will take to mature its Safety Management System (SMS) program, which it committed to in 2019. Boeing also must integrate its SMS program with a Quality Management System, which will ensure the same level of rigor and oversight is applied to the company’s suppliers and create a measurable, systemic shift in manufacturing quality control.   

“Boeing must take a fresh look at every aspect of their quality-control process and ensure that safety is the company’s guiding principle,” Administrator Whitaker said.   

Boeing Oversight Activities   


On February 12, Administrator Whitaker was on Boeing’s factory floor in Renton, Washington, to see the 737 production line and hear directly from Boeing engineers, mechanics, and others about quality control processes. The Administrator also went to the Alaska Airlines headquarters to discuss the left mid-cabin door plug that blew out of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on January 5 while in flight.  

The FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX, is exploring the use of a third party to oversee Boeing, and will wrap up its enhanced oversight audit of Boeing’s production and manufacturing quality systems in the coming weeks. An investigation into Boeing’s alleged noncompliance is also underway.   





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28 February, 2024

Air Lease Corporation Announces Lease Placement of Three New Boeing 787 Aircraft with Thai Airways International


Air Lease Corporation Announces Lease Placement of Three New Boeing 787 Aircraft with Thai Airways International
Air Lease Corporation announced long-term lease agreements for three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with Thai Airways International. These three Dreamliner aircraft are confirmed to be delivered to the Thai carrier in 2025 from ALC’s order book with Boeing.

“We are pleased to announce this transaction for three new Boeing 787-9 aircraft with new customer, Thai Airways International,” said Steven F. Udvar-Házy, Executive Chairman of Air Lease Corporation. “ALC is honored to add these three Dreamliner aircraft to Thai Airways’ growing widebody fleet and we look forward to a long-term relationship with the airline.”

“These new state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9s will be utilized on flights to Europe, Australia and Intra-Asia to strengthen Thai Airways’ global network,” added Chi Yan, Senior Vice President of Air Lease Corporation.

“We are delighted to commence this new partnership with ALC, with the addition of three Boeing 787-9s to Thai Airways’ fleet. The incorporation of these aircraft underscores our dedication to fleet modernization and delivering exceptional comfort and efficiency to our passengers. Thai Airways International is thrilled to further strengthen our relationship with such an industry-leading partner,” said Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways International.

26 February, 2024

Ryanair may have to cut summer flights due to further Boeing delays

Ryanair may have to cut summer flights due to further Boeing delays, reports Joanna Plucinska of Reuters. 

Ryanair will receive even fewer Boeing aircraft by the end of June than previously expected, CEO Michael O'Leary said on Friday, potentially causing the budget carrier to cut its summer schedule at the busiest time of the year.

The Dublin-based airline is the first in Europe to warn of disruption due a deepening crisis at Boeing, which has been mired in a regulatory audit and has been prohibited from ramping up 737 MAX production since the Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout of a new Alaska Airlines MAX 9.

Ryanair was due to receive 57 Boeing MAX 8-200 planes by end-April, but just over a week ago Boeing told the airline it would receive around 50 aircraft by end-June, O'Leary said. That could now change.  "We don't really know how many aircraft we're going to get from Boeing," O'Leary told a media briefing. "We're pretty sure we're going to get 30 to 40. We're reasonably confident we're between 40 and 45. And now we are far less confident we're going to get between 45 and 50."

In a statement to Reuters, Boeing confirmed it had told some airlines that deliveries could be delayed as the company ensures planes meet all regulatory standards.  "We deeply regret the impact this is having on our valued customer Ryanair," Boeing said. "We're working to address their concerns and taking action on a comprehensive plan to strengthen 737 quality and delivery performance." 

The delays mean Ryanair might have to remove some flights from its summer schedule, O'Leary said, cutting capacity for what is expected to be a record summer of travel.  "If we only get 40, by the end of March we will have to announce some minor schedule cuts," he said.  That means Ryanair is likely to carry only 200 million passengers for the financial year beginning in April, versus the 205 million previously forecast.  Further capacity constraints could make the carrier less competitive against low-cost rivals like easyJet,  Ryanair's stock has risen by a quarter over the past two years, making it the best-performing European airline as the industry rides a post-pandemic boom in travel.

21 February, 2024

Royal Brunei Airlines orders 4 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Royal Brunei Airlines announced the purchase of four Boeing 787 Dreamliners to renew its widebody fleet at the Singapore Airshow. The carrier has selected the 787-9 to support its long-term growth strategy and sustainability goals.

"The forthcoming arrival of the 787-9 Dreamliner symbolizes a bold step forward in our ongoing journey toward innovation and excellence," said Sabirin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines. "Royal Brunei Airlines has been operating the 787-8 for the last 10 years and this order will ensure we continue with a product that our customers have come to enjoy. In our constant effort to offer unparalleled service matched with the highest safety standards to our guests, the new fleet will allow us the potential to tap into new growth areas, strengthening our market appeal and enabling us to provide a superior travel experience to our guests."

Royal Brunei Airlines was the first Southeast Asian carrier to fly the 787 Dreamliner over a decade ago. With this 787-9 order, which was finalized in February and will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries, the airline can fly more passengers and cargo farther while operating more efficiently.

Thai Airways oders for 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliners......

Thai Airways has placed an order for 45 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets to grow its international route network and help to modernize its entire fleet.  The carrier, despite a reorganization, is looking to open new routes to support high demand for air travel across Southeast Asia.



"To accomplish our company's and the national carbon neutral goals by 2050, the 45 new Boeing 787 Dreamliners will be equipped with GEnx engines, which are known for their cutting-edge technology and reduced environmental impact," said Chai Eamsiri, Thai Airways CEO. "Furthermore, we are confident that the acquisition of the 787 Dreamliners will ultimately benefit our customers and support the growth of our country's economy."

Thai Airways already benefits from a long relationship with planemaker Boeing and already flies widebody jets including 777s and 787s on a network that features nearly 60 domestic and international destinations. 

Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing said: "Thai Airways' strategic investment in the 787 Dreamliner builds on our long-standing partnership and signifies the airline's commitment to operate a modern, efficient and flexible fleet," said  "This order will support Thai Airways' ability to meet demand, foster tourism and trade, and create further opportunities for this carrier."

This order was actually finalized back in December 2023, and was listed as unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website because the planemaker wanted to boost its public profile during the Singapore Airshow. 




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06 February, 2024

Four bolts missing from door plug of Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9...

The U.S. FAA has confirmed that not one, not two, not three, but four bolts used to hold a door plug on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet belonging to Alaska Airlines were missing, allowing the door panel to fall off during a flight in January.

The U.S. Safety Board investigating the incident said that evidence released this week shows bolts were missing from the door plug, which had been removed to fix rivets that were damaged in the production process.

The NTSB had previously remained silent on the cause for the panel to rip off during a flight operated by Alaska Airlines, but now it has confirmed that "The investigation continues to determine what manufacturing documents were used to authorize the opening and closing" of the plug during the rivet rework,"  The troubled aircraft had recently experienced pressurisation warnings on previous flights had climbed to around 16,000 feet following departure from Portland, Oregon.

The NTSB said it had been focused on how this panel or door plug which is fitted into a number of Boeing 737 MAX 9 models as a replacement for an optional emergency exit - detached from the Alaska Air plane. The report indicates that the plug is held down by four bolts, and then secured by "stop fittings" at 12 different locations along the side of the plug and the door frame.

27 January, 2024

Alaska Airlines putting 737 MAX 9s back in service

Alaska Airlines has confirmed it has completed final inspections on its first group of 737-MAX 9 aircraft and has returned the type to active service, with the first flight operating between Seattle to San Diego.

On January 24th, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the detailed inspection and maintenance process for the troubled 737-MAX 9 to return to flying following the door plug blowout that grounded the aircraft. 

Alaska says its technicians began the inspections that same night following the FAA directive and expects to have the whole fleet checked by the end of next week.




26 January, 2024

Boeing's MAX production issues ripple across aerospace industry

Boeing's troubles with its 737 MAX jets are upending the aerospace industry's 2024 plans,
changing airlines' fleet and expansion goals as U.S. regulators froze production of the best-selling jets.

The FAA ramped up scrutiny of Boeing after a frightening Jan. 5 incident when a cabin panel tore off of an Alaska Airlines jet mid-flight. The plane landed safely with only minor injuries to people on board - but that experience has forced the industry to grapple with problems with Boeing's manufacturing and quality control processes.


The FAA late Wednesday froze increases in production of the single-aisle 737 MAX due to the issues, which have frustrated executives dependent on Boeing, one of only two major global plane manufacturers.

"Boeing needs to get their act together," said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom. "It is hard enough running an airline. We need quality product, and that's what we demand."

The FAA's order means Boeing can continue producing MAX jets at its current monthly rate, but it cannot increase that rate. It offered no estimate of how long the limitation would last and did not specify the number of planes Boeing can produce each month.

The FAA's unprecedented intervention in production schedules could further delay some deliveries of new planes to airlines and hurt suppliers already reeling from an earlier MAX crisis and the pandemic.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told Reuters on Thursday that he supported the FAA decision. "We all want safe airplanes. This is a safe aeroplane," he said in Washington, where he has been meeting with U.S. legislators.

24 January, 2024

WestJet adding to fleet in 2025 through leasing of five new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft


Additional aircraft furthers WestJet's leading narrowbody order book, enhancing capacity to fulfil network growth


WestJet announced the acquisition of five brand new Boeing 737 MAX 8 to its fleet, adding to the airline's already significant multi-billion-dollar investment in its orderbook. The airline expects to receive delivery of the aircraft in early 2025, after recently completing leasing agreements with China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co., Ltd. (CDB Aviation) for three aircraft and international aircraft leasing company, Avolon for two aircraft.

"We are adding these five aircraft to our 737 MAX family very soon and look forward to this additional capacity enhancing our already forecasted fleet expansion, further enabling our execution of providing affordable and diverse air travel options for our guests," said Mike Scott, WestJet Group, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer. "As Canada's coast-to-coast leisure champion and western home carrier, the continued expansion of our fleet in tandem with our low-cost foundation is a key accelerator of our growth strategy."

Combined with its existing order book, WestJet will now receive as many as 22 brand new Boeing 737 MAX airplanes before the end of 2025, and up to 62 additional airplanes of this type before the end of 2028. This makes WestJet's narrowbody order book the largest of any Canadian airline.

"CDB Aviation values our expanding relationship with WestJet and we are pleased to be able to support the airline's fleet expansion in an environmentally friendly manner as we lease these three new fuel-efficient B737-8 aircraft direct from our orderbook," stated Jie Chen, CDB Aviation's Chief Executive Officer.

"We're delighted to be expanding on our strong relationship with Westjet and are pleased to support WestJet's fleet expansion needs from our Boeing orderbook," said Paul Geaney, President and Chief Commercial Officer, Avolon. "We expect to see continued growth for the aviation sector in the coming years, including in North America, and are excited to provide a fleet solution to a strategic customer in the region."

08 January, 2024

United Airlines finds loose bolts during inspections of 737 MAX 9 planes....


United Airlines says it has found bolts in need of "additional tightening" during inspections of Boeing 737 MAX 9 which had been removed from service following the blowout of a doorplug on an Alaska Airlines aircraft last week. 

United Airlines said it believed these to be "installation issues" relating to door plugs and these will be "remedied" before the aircraft type can return to operational use. 

"Since we began preliminary inspections on Saturday, we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug - for example, bolts that needed additional tightening." the statement said. 

The grounding of the 737 MAX 9 jets has caused United to cancel over 200 flights as of Monday and the U.S. mega-carrier expects a significant number of cancellations on Tuesday.  "We have been able to operate some planned flights by switching to other aircraft types, avoiding about 30 cancellations each on Monday and Tuesday,". 



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